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Carrier Oils

Purple Flame prides itself in only supplying the finest, 100% pure, premium grade, carrier oils. We have used the same suppliers since our company began back in 1980 and we are very proud to have maintained our great reputation for quality and purity. We now have over 30 carrier oils on our website. From the popular carrier oils such as Sweet Almond and Grapeseed to the more exotic and hard to find like Mustard Seed.

To make purchasing carrier oils easy, we list our oils alphabetically by product name. Use the A-Z continuum below to quickly jump to the carrier oil you would like to order or use the search facility at the top of the page.

Carrier oils, sometimes called base oils, play a very important and essential part in aromatherapy, as before essential oils can be used on the skin they must first be diluted in a carrier oil. This is because essential oils are far too powerful to be used neat and can cause severe irritation or reactions in some individuals. Whilst other carriers such as creams and lotions can be used to dilute essential oils, carrier oils are the most common and widely used medium of carrying oil into the skin.

What are Carrier Oils?
Unlike essential oils, that are distilled from the leaves, bark, roots and other aromatic portions of a plant, carrier oils are pressed from the fatty portions of the plant, usually from the seeds, kernels or the nuts. Unlike essential oils, carrier oils do not evaporate or shed their aroma when being used. Although some carrier oils are odourless, generally speaking, most have a faint sweet, nutty aroma. They are wonderfully nourishing to the skin, whether used alone or with essential oils during a massage, and leave the upper layers of the skin feeling soft, silky and smooth.

Carrier Oils Provide Lubrication
Carrier oils are not only a dilution medium for essential oils but also provide lubrication so the hands can move freely and easily over the skin during a massage. For this reason carrier oils are normally light and non-sticky in consistency, thus reducing drag.

The Role of Carrier Oils
Carrier oils are more important in the practice of aromatherapy than many people realise. In common with essential oils, carrier oils also have a wealth of health properties individuals can benefit from. Made up of different fatty acids, as well as vitamins and minerals, each carrier oil has different therapeutic properties and characteristics and should be selected depending on what therapeutic benefits are required.

Skin Nourishing Oils
There are a number of carrier oils that have particular skin nourishing properties, caring for the skin at a deep level and helping cell regeneration. These carrier oils are sometimes added to base creams, especially if the recipient suffers from dry skin. They are also good at nourishing the face, replenishing skin damaged by wind or sun burn or healing broken veins or blemishes. Carrier oils that fall into the skin food group include, Avocado, Camellia, Evening Primrose, Jojoba, Kukui, Macadamia Nut and Starflower (Borage) and Wheatgerm. Avocado and Wheatgerm are not everyone’s cup of tea as they are viscous oils and both have a rather strong odour. However, they are excellent at nourishing the skin, providing nutrients and fatty acids that will leave the skin feeling soft and silky smooth. As they are quite viscous, if you intend to use them for body massage it is best to dilute them down with another carrier oil such as Almond, Apricot or Peach at 15-20%. Not only will this soften the smell, but it also helps to reduce the cost of the treatment.

Choosing Carrier Oils
There are a wide and extensive range of carrier oils available to choose from on the market, as well as some other infused or macerated oils such as St. Johns Wort and Calendula. With such a wide range to choose from it can be hard to know what to select, especially as there is little written regarding this subject.

Choosing a carrier oil is as simple as choosing an essential oil. You simply select the carrier oil with the properties you require and to do this you just need to know some simple facts about the properties, actions and viscosity (thickness) of the carrier oils available.

Peach, Sweet Almond and Apricot carrier oils are highly versatile carrier oils. They have a light consistency and are easily absorbed into the skin. They are great for both body massage and facial treatments.

Carrier Oils for Nut Allergies
If you are worried about using a particular carrier oil on a patient because they have a nut allergy, try using Sunflower or Grapeseed, as both of these carrier oils are extracted from seeds.

Carrier Oils for Facial Treatments
Starflower (Borage) Evening primrose, Jojoba and Rosehip carrier oils give great results when used for facial treatments. They are quite viscous oils so if you intend to use them for body massage it is best to dilute them down with another carrier oil such as Almond, Apricot or Peach at 15-20%.

Using Carrier Oils
Simply add 1 drop of essential oil to every 5mls of carrier oil. Gently work the blended oil into the skin until it has been absorbed.

Storing Carrier Oils
To keep your carrier oils in optimum condition, always keep them cool (around 10°C), out of direct sunlight and replace caps straight after use. If you wish, you can keep them in the refrigerator, but some carrier oils, such as jojoba, may go solid.

Rancidity
Unlike essential oils, carrier oils can become rancid over time. The level of natural fatty acids in the oil, the method of extraction and the oil’s characteristics will all have a determining effect on how quickly this can occur. If you suspect a carrier oil is past its best and it has a strong, bitter aroma like used cooking fat, it may have gone rancid.